CVE-2006-1851 in xFlow
Summary
by MITRE
xFlow 5.46.11 and earlier allows remote attackers to determine the installation path of the application via the (1) action parameter to members_only/index.cgi and (2) page parameter customer_area/index.cgi, probably due to invalid values.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/24/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-1851 affects xFlow versions 5.46.11 and earlier, representing a classic information disclosure flaw that exposes sensitive system details to remote attackers. This issue manifests through improper input validation in two specific CGI scripts within the application's membership and customer areas. The vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly sanitize or validate user-supplied parameters, specifically the action parameter in members_only/index.cgi and the page parameter in customer_area/index.cgi. When these parameters receive invalid or unexpected values, the application inadvertently reveals its installation path through error messages or response content, providing attackers with critical system information that could facilitate further exploitation attempts.
This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-200, which specifically addresses improper output handling that can lead to information disclosure. The flaw represents a significant security risk as it provides attackers with directory structure information that could be used to map the application's file system layout. The attack vector is remote and requires no authentication, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by anyone with access to the affected web application. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the revealed installation paths could enable attackers to craft more sophisticated attacks targeting specific file locations or exploit path traversal vulnerabilities that might exist elsewhere in the application.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial as it creates an information leak that can be leveraged in conjunction with other exploits to compromise the entire system. Attackers can use the disclosed installation paths to understand the application's architecture and potentially identify other vulnerabilities through directory traversal or file inclusion attacks. The vulnerability also aligns with techniques documented in the attack pattern taxonomy under attack techniques that involve reconnaissance and information gathering, as described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework. Organizations running affected versions of xFlow are exposed to potential privilege escalation attacks, as the leaked path information can be used to identify sensitive files, configuration details, or system-specific vulnerabilities that might not otherwise be apparent through standard reconnaissance methods.
The remediation strategy for this vulnerability requires immediate patching of the affected xFlow versions to implement proper input validation and sanitization. The fix should ensure that all user-supplied parameters are strictly validated against expected values, with any invalid inputs being rejected rather than processed. Implementing proper error handling that does not reveal system paths or internal application details is crucial. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls or security monitoring solutions that can detect and block attempts to exploit parameter manipulation vulnerabilities. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices, specifically those related to input validation and error handling as outlined in secure coding guidelines such as those provided by OWASP and ISO/IEC 27045. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar information disclosure vulnerabilities in other applications and systems.